Cable connection system

ABSTRACT

A cable connection system and a method of forming the cable connection system. The cable connection system includes a base and a coupling mechanism. The base is configured to be coupled to a given cable. The given cable is configured to be connected to a given rack. The coupling mechanism is configured to couple the base with the given rack during a given connect mode of operation. The coupling mechanism includes a group of base connectors provided on a first surface of the base. The first surface is arranged to lie substantially flush with the given rack. The method includes: providing the base and coupling the coupling mechanism to the base.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cable connection system and to amethod for forming the cable connection system.

BACKGROUND

In the context of information technology (IT), it may be desirable toprovide network resources, such as, for example, multiple networkservers in a given data center. Furthermore, it may be desirable toprovide such network resources in a consolidated form and with regard toefficient and optimum usage of the available floor space in such a datacenter. In this regard, the network servers may be provided in a stackwithin a framework provided by an IT rack.

In typical data centers, multiple racks may be found. Each rack maycomprise multiple network servers stacked relative to each other. Eachrack is designed to comprise multiple slots, also referred to as bays.Each bay provides an allocated space for mounting at least a givennetwork server. Fastening screws are provided for each bayforfacilitating secured accommodation of a given network server within eachbay.

Because multiple network servers may typically be mounted within a givenrack, ventilation of the heat produced by any of the network serversoperating within that given rack are to be considered. It may also bedesirable to additionally provide mechanisms for cooling a given rackwhen the network servers mounted in the given rack are in use.

To connect a given rack, electrically or otherwise, either with respectto another given rack or to change such connections between the networkservers housed in the given rack, both such scenarios hereinafterreferred to generally as a rack connection, multiple cables andrelatively complex cabling connections may be required. Thus, andparticularly, in the event that the cabling format and/or configurationare to be changed for a given rack, performing the change(s) may becomplicated and time-consuming and may, for example, even take days.Furthermore, mistakes in performing such connections may be inevitabledue to the multiplicity of racks, cabling and/or network servers.

Accordingly, it is a challenge to perform rack connection with relativeease, time-efficiency and/or with reduced mistakes in cable connection.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a cable connection system.The cable connection system includes a base and a coupling mechanism.The base is configured to be coupled to a given cable. The given cableis configured to be connected to a given rack. The coupling mechanism isconfigured to couple the base with the given rack during a given connectmode of operation. The coupling mechanism includes a group of baseconnectors provided on a first surface of the base. The first surface isarranged to lie substantially flush with the given rack.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming thecable connection system. The method includes: providing the base andcoupling the coupling mechanism to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a cable connection system, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2a and 2b respectively illustrate a three-dimensional view of aconnected mode and a disconnected mode of operation of a cableconnection system, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively correspond to FIGS. 2a and 2b andrespectively illustrate a side-view of a connected mode and adisconnected mode of operation of a cable connection system, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Within the description, the same reference numerals or signs are used todenote the same parts or the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a cable connection system 100, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The cableconnection system 100 may be used to facilitate cable connection with atleast a given rack 2. The given rack 2 may comprise multiple electronicequipment units, such as, for example, respective computing units thatmay each be dedicated for use as a network server. Because the givenrack 2 facilitates a framework to provide network servers in a stackedconfiguration, network resources may be pooled and stored with relativeefficiency in a given space. This makes such racks 2 attractive for usein IT data centers, where a multiplicity of racks may typically befound.

As seen from FIG. 1, the cable connection system 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention comprises at least a base 1. Thebase 1 is configured to be coupled to any given cable that is to beconnected to the given rack 2. Such a given cable may comprise a cablefor connection of the given rack 2 to resources such as, for example,power, network, storage and so forth. The given cable may comprisecopper or electrically conductive fiber, for example.

Also provided is a coupling mechanism 3, 4 that is configured to couplethe base 1 to the given rack 2 in a given connect mode of operation ofthe cable connection system 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The coupling mechanism 3, 4 comprises at least agroup of base connectors 3 that are provided on at least a surface 1 aof the base 1 that is arranged to lie substantially flush with the givenrack 2. The coupling mechanism 3, 4 also comprises at least a group ofrack connectors 4 provided for the given rack 2 on a surface 2 a of thegiven rack 2. The surface 2 a of the given rack 2 is arranged to liesubstantially flush with the surface 1 a of the base 1 on which the baseconnectors 3 are provided. The rack connectors 4 substantiallycorrespond with, and are configured to be coupled to, the baseconnectors 3, in the given connect mode of operation. The given rack 2may be fitted with fixed rack connectors 4 or, alternatively, the givenrack 2 may be retrofitted with detachable rack connectors 4, the latterconfiguration providing an advantage of compatibility of an embodimentof the present invention with conventional racks 2 in IT data centers.The group of base connectors 3 and/or the group of rack connectors 4 maybe configured to be substantially detachably coupled to each other;which is generally illustrated by arrow 5 in FIG. 1 in which the baseconnectors 3 and the rack connectors 4 are shown to be detachablycoupled to each other in a substantially lateral plane.

The base connectors 3 provided on the surface 1 a of the base 1facilitate substantial coupling of the base 1 with the given rack 2. Afurther feature of the base 1 is that the base 1 may be designed inorder to support such a substantial coupling function. For example,shape and/or dimensions of the base 1 may be chosen in accordance with aspatial configuration of the given rack 2 and/or taking into accountspatial constraints due to a multiplicity of racks on a given floorspace.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, and in one embodiment, the base 1 isprovided in a substantially U-shape. Such a shape of the base 1 issubstantially compatible with a shape of a base of the given rack 2 sothat the base 1 can be coupled and/or slotted with respect to the givenrack 2 with relative ease. In order to facilitate ease of understanding,the base 1 shown in FIG. 1 is shown with a given number and equaldistribution of base connectors 3 on a surface 1 a thereof. However, anembodiment of the present invention is not limited to such a scenario,and at least one base connector of a number and/or distribution of thebase connectors 3 may be chosen to facilitate a desired coupling betweenthe base 1 and the given rack 2, while taking other aspects intoconsideration, such as, for example, the shape of the base of the givenrack 2, and constraints that may be placed on the design of the base 1.Such constraints, for example, may include limiting the number of baseconnectors 3 provided on the base 1 and/or distributing the baseconnectors 3 on the base 1 to correspond with rack connectors 4 providedin a limited number and/or an irregular distribution on the rack 2.

The base connectors 3 may be provided as fixed from the outset ordetachably with respect to the base 1. The base 1 may be provided as asubstantially detachable unit that may be coupled to another equipmentunit, at the base of other equipment unit, in one embodiment, which isin a vicinity of the given rack 2. In this way, cable connection for anygiven rack 2 may be established without a need to create space for thebase 1 and/or rearrangement of existing equipment in the vicinity of therack 2. Such features may serve to enhance the versatility, flexibilityand/or ease of use of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2a and 2b respectively illustrate a three-dimensional view of aconnected mode and a disconnected mode of operation of a cableconnection system 100, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. As can be seen from FIGS. 2a and 2b , the base 1 and thegiven rack 2 are arranged such that respective surfaces 1 a and 2 a arearranged to lie substantially flush relative to each other. Viewing FIG.2a in combination with FIG. 1, in a connected mode of operation, thebase 1 is moved substantially laterally with respect to the given rack 2such that the base connectors 3 on the surface 1 a of the base 1 arecoupled with the rack connectors 4 on the surface 2 a (see FIG. 1) ofthe given rack 2. In a disconnected mode of operation, the base 1 islaterally decoupled from the given rack 2 as denoted by arrow 5 shown inFIG. 2b . Because the base connectors 3 and the rack connectors 4 aredetachably coupled to each other, the base connectors 3 and the rackconnectors 4 may be uncoupled with relative ease and without the need toprovide specific resources to decouple the base connectors 3 and therack connectors 4. FIGS. 2a and 2b also schematically illustrate aconfiguration of racks 2 that may typically be found in IT data centers.Any given rack 2 has multiple slots 2 ₀, 2 ₁, 2 ₂, 2 ₃, . . . 2 _(n).Each slot provides a space for storing at least a given network serverwhich is securely screwed into place within the slot 2 ₀, 2 ₁, 2 ₂, 2 ₃,. . . 2 _(n).

FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively correspond to FIGS. 2a and 2b andrespectively illustrate a side-view of a connected mode and adisconnected mode of operation of a cable connection system 100, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

As can be seen from both FIGS. 3a and 3b , the base 1 is configured tobe coupled to any given cable 6 ₀, 6 ₁, . . . 6 _(n) that is to beconnected with the given rack 2 and that is most provided, in oneembodiment, in a raised floor configuration 7 ₁ above a floor surface 7₀ on which at least the base 1 and/or the given rack 2 is provided. In aconnect mode of operation shown in FIG. 3a , and as explained previouslywith reference to FIG. 1, base connectors 3 that are provided for base 1are configured to be coupled to rack connectors 4 that are provided forthe given rack 2. When the base 1 is coupled to the given rack 2, thegiven cables 6 ₀, 6 ₁, . . . 6 _(n) are coupled to at least a lineconnection 8. The line connection 8 is coupled to any given slot 2 ₀, 2₁, 2 ₂, 2 ₃, . . . 2 _(n) of the given rack 2. Thus, connection of anygiven cable 6 ₀, 6 ₁, . . . 6 _(n) to any given slot 2 ₀, 2 ₁, 2 ₂, 2 ₃,. . . 2 _(n) of given rack 2 may be facilitated. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, and as previously mentioned, the given cables 6 ₀, 6₁, . . . 6 _(n) that are to be coupled to any given slot 2 ₀, 2 ₁, 2 ₂,2 ₃, . . . 2 _(n) in the given rack 2 need not be limited to electricalcabling and may also be storage or network cabling. In this regard, thegiven cables 6 ₀, 6 ₁, . . . 6 _(n) may comprise copper or electricallyconductive fiber.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. The method of FIG. 4 facilitates cable connectionto at least a given rack 2 comprising at least an electronic equipmentunit provided in a stacked configuration.

The method of FIG. 4 starts at step 20 and proceeds to step 21 where atleast a base 1 is provided. At step 20 ⁰, consideration may be given toat least a design of the base 1 to facilitate a substantial coupling ofthe base 1 with the given rack 2. A further consideration is what shapeis to be provided for the base 1, which may be implemented at step 20′where, in one embodiment, the base 1 is fabricated in a substantiallyU-shape. A yet further consideration for the base 1 may be to providethe base 1 as a detachable unit which may be retrofitted onto anexisting structure in a vicinity of the given rack 2, where a cableconnection that may potentially be desired for connection to the givenrack 2 is also accessible by the base 1, which is represented at step20″.

Also following step 20, at least a coupling mechanism 3, 4 is providedat step 22. In respect of the provision of the coupling mechanism 3, 4,at least a group of base connectors 3 are provided on at least a surface1 a of the base 1. The surface 1 a is arranged to lie substantiallyflush with the given rack 2 at step 23. As shown at step 23′, the baseconnectors 3 may be provided as substantially fixed or detachable withrespect to the base 1. As shown at step 23″, a distribution and/or anumber of the base connectors 3 is provided so as to facilitate adesired coupling between the base 1 and the given rack 2.

At step 24 following step 21, the base 1 adapted with the baseconnectors 3 is configured to be coupled to any given cable 6 ₀, 6 ₁, .. . 6 _(n) that is to be connected with the given rack 2. In thisrespect, in a one embodiment of the present invention, at step 24′, thebase 1 is coupled to any given cable 6 ₀, 6 ₁, . . . 6 _(n) that is tobe connected with the given rack 2 and that is substantially provided ina raised floor configuration 7 ₁ above a floor surface 7 ₀ on which thebase 1 and/or the given rack 2 is provided.

At step 25 following step 21, the base 1 is configured to be connectedwith the given rack 2 using the coupling mechanism 3, 4. In this regard,and as shown at step 25 ⁰, the base 1 and/or the given rack 2 areconfigured to be substantially detachably coupled from each other. Inone embodiment of the present invention, and at step 25′, the baseconnectors 3 and the rack connectors 2 are coupled, and in this way,coupling between the base 1 and the given rack 2 is performed. Step 26marks the end of any steps according to an embodiment of a method of thepresent invention.

Any one of steps 20 ⁰, 20′ and 20″ may precede step 21 in oneembodiment, and are not performed in any given sequence. Steps 20 ⁰, 20′and 20″ may be performed simultaneously in an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Steps 21 and 22 are performed after the start step 20, steps 23 and 24are performed in relation to step 22, and steps 23′ and 23″ and steps 24and 25 are not restricted to a given sequence of performance withrespect to each other and may even be performed simultaneously.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of exampleand modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the presentinvention.

Each feature disclosed in the description may be provided independentlyor in any appropriate combination.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers or ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable connection system, comprising: a rackcomprising a first rack surface and a second rack surface perpendicularto the first rack surface, wherein the first rack surface isperpendicular to a raised floor surface that is above a floor surface,and wherein the second rack surface is on, and parallel to, the raisedfloor surface; a base coupled to a plurality of cables connected to therack, wherein the base comprises a first base surface, a second basesurface perpendicular to the first base surface, and an array of slotsinto which corresponding network servers are screwed into place, whereinthe first base surface is perpendicular to the raised floor surface,wherein the second base surface is on, and parallel to, the raised floorsurface, and wherein the slots of the array of slots are sequenced in afirst direction perpendicular to the raised floor surface and extendabove the raised floor surface in the first direction; and a couplingmechanism coupling the base with the rack during a connect mode ofoperation, said coupling mechanism comprising a group of base connectorson the first surface of the base and a group of rack connectors on thefirst surface of the rack, wherein the first surface of the base isparallel to, and substantially flush with, the first surface of therack, wherein the rack connectors substantially correspond with, and arecoupled to, the base connectors during the connect mode of operation,wherein the rack extends above the base in the first direction, anywherein each cable of the plurality of cables is configured to beconnected to any slot of the array of slots via a line connection thatis coupled to both the plurality of cables and the array of slots. 2.The cable connection system of claim 1, wherein the base and the rackare substantially detachably coupled to each other.
 3. The cableconnection system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a substantiallyU-shape.
 4. The cable connection system of claim 1, wherein adistribution and/or a number of the base connectors facilitates adesired coupling between the base and the rack.
 5. The cable connectionsystem of claim 1, wherein, the base comprises a substantiallydetachable unit.
 6. The cable connection system of claim 1, wherein, thebase connectors are configured to be substantially detachable from thebase.